Even if you don't like whites - try this one

I am so lucky to live less than an hour's drive away from Napa and Sonoma. For someone who loves wine as much as I do it can be quite a temptation. I actually have boxes of wine stacked up in my bathroom at work that exceed the capacity of our current wine cellars at home. Hopefully I am only months away from moving into a house we have been renovating for the last 2 years (That's a whole other story!). Recently my husband and I enjoyed a fabulous getaway to another local gem, Monterey. We stayed at the new Intercontinental Clement Monterey. We enjoyed a relaxing and delicious dinner overlooking the ocean. I am expanding my appreciation of wines into the realm of whites. At the suggestion of the sommelier I tried Chimney Rocks' Elevage Blanc. SWOON! This is a meritage style blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. I have been searching for this wine ever since. I think it's time for another drive up to Napa!

All By Myself

I don't know about you but how effective are you during a normal workday? With all the interruptions I find it hard to ever really get any time to really focus on any one project. Hence, the reason why I post this on a Saturday as I relish the peace and quiet of the office and NO distractions. I turn on my iPod and I can slip right into the zone. I find 3-4 hours of being in the office nets at least 1 to 2 days in the office during the work week. Am I the only one that finds this to be true?

Second annual study to be conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute - Public View on Manufacturing: 2010 Annual Index

Last week at the NAM board meeting I sat in on the Manufacturing Institutes' board meeting. The Manufacturing Institute (MI) is the 501(c) 3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). As a non-partisan organization, the MI is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. MI focuses on developing human capital strategies through education reform and workforce development, conducting applied research to provide critical information to public policy makers on challenges and opportunities for today's industry, and advancing the innovation capacity of manufacturers.

MI will be launching the findings of their second annual study to be conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, "Public View on Manufacturing: 2010 Annual Index" this September. The 2009 study revealed the majority of respondents (71 percent) view manufacturing as a national priority with 59 percent agreeing that the United States manufacturing industry effectively competes on a global scale. However, only 17 percent named manufacturing as among their top two industry choices to start a career, and only 30 percent of parents said they would encourage their children to pursue jobs in manufacturing, revealing a wide perception gap.

I hoping that one positive side effect of the recent economic problems of our country is that it has highlighted the need for a strong manufacturing base to our economy. Within my business I see customers moving toward JIT requirements - with a focus on short lead times and having suppliers close to their facilities. This bodes well for a growth in manufacturing opportunities back here in the USA. I also see this as a way to engage our kids again in the education process. We have to support learning opportunities for those kids that want to work their hands. Children that learn and think in a kinesthetic manner. We have to go back to a culture that honors those the create and make tangible things.

Get your bearings

To follow my tweets that focus on engineering and manufacturing see twitter.com/dualvee

I am a nut

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A new start

Today I am launching my new blog page. Join me here to chat about US manufacturing, career technical education and STEM initiatives, travel, food, wine and my endeavors on the boards of National Association of Manufacturers, California Manufacturing & Technology Association, Wardrobe for Opportunity and my local grass roots non-profit Walnut Creek Dog Owners Group. And yes by day I am all about guide wheel based linear and rotary motion through my company Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation.